University of Hertfordshire commended for excellence in knowledge exchange for third time in a row

The University of Hertfordshire has been commended by the national higher education funding council HEFCE for good practice in knowledge exchange (KE), for the third time in a row.

This recognition strengthens Hertfordshire's position as an enterprising and business-facing University, in which research, innovation and teaching activities are closely aligned to meet the demands of business and society.

HEFCE provides funding for knowledge exchange via Higher Education Innovation Funding (HEIF), to support and develop a broad range of knowledge-based interactions between universities and colleges and the wider world, which result in economic and social benefit to the UK.

In August 2016 HEFCE asked higher education institutions in receipt of this funding to provide a strategy for knowledge exchange. As part of this, a panel of KE experts from national funding and policy-making bodies commended the University for its overall approach.

Alongside only a handful of other universities, the University of Hertfordshire was recognised for several reasons, including its commitment to knowledge exchange, full exploitation of linkages between research and teaching activities, an outward-facing stance and a focus on building on institutional and partner strengths.

Julie Newlan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and International Development, said: "At the University of Hertfordshire we have been at the forefront of knowledge exchange for over 15 years and as such are delighted that our strategy has been commended three times in a row. Though we are based in Hertfordshire, our reach is global and our ambition is to give our staff and graduates the attributes, cultural sensitivity and aspiration to succeed and achieve impact anywhere in the world.

"For staff this means exploiting our research discoveries, engaging with business, public sector and the professions and enhancing the business portfolio of the University. For our students this means transforming their career aspirations, ensuring regular engagement with practice and conferring employability and entrepreneurial spirit. For all our communities it means contributing to a vibrant economy within a cohesive social and cultural environment."